Hanger support bar for garment packing case



Jan. 17, 1967 J. FQELD ETAL 3,298,503

HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Filed June 5, 1965 INvENTaa5 JOEv FIELD United States Patent 3,298,503 HANGER SUPPORT BARFOR GARMENT PACKING CASE Joe Field and Harry Field, both of 1127 W.Division, Chicago, Ill. 60622 Filed June 3, 1965, Ser. No. 461,017 8Claims. (Cl. 206--7) The present invention relates generally tocontainers for shipping and storage of hanger supported garments, andmore particularly to an improved hanger support bar for use with suchcontainer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hangersupport bar for use in a garment packing case for the purpose ofsupporting the hook ends of garment hangers within the case, and whereina novel construction is provided for retaining the hook ends of thehangers in place. The present invention reduces the likelihood of thegarments becoming wrinkled or damaged during shipment of the case. Inaccordance with this object of the invention, a retainer strip overliesthe hangers and hold the hook ends thereof against the hanger bar. 'Theretainer has a tongue at one end that interfits with a slot on an endbracket of the hanger bar, and one or more spring bands secure theretainer to the support bar. The spring band or spring bands, as thecase may be, cooper-ate with the tongue and bracket interfit to hold theclamping strip assembled with the bar to retain the hook ends of thegarment hangers firmly in position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hangersupport bar which is firmly secured to the top portions of opposed sidesof the packing case in a manner to prevent either end of the bar fromsliding along those top portions during rough handling that sometimesoccurs during shipment of the packing case. This prevents garments frombeing abraded by the carton and possibly being damaged. To accomplishthis object of the invention, the end brackets of the support bar areformed with sharp prongs or fingers that bite into the aforesaid topportions of the case walls when the bar is assembled with the case. Whenthe garmentfilled hangers are placed on the bar, the weight of thegarments exerts additional pressure on the brackets, embedding theprongs deeper into the case, thus enhancing the grip of the prongsthereon and insuring that they do not become withdrawn from the caseduring shipment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hangersupport bar of the type stated which is less costly than hanger supportbars of a type heretofore used. i i

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hanger bar constructed inaccordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of agarment packing case with the hanger bar mounted therein;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 4-4 and55, respectively, of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views on an enlarged scale takenalong lines 66 and 77 of FIG. 5.

- Referring now'in more detail and by reference characters to thedrawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, 1 designates a gar- 3,298,503 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 "icement packing case which may, by example but not of limitation, be of thetype shown in our United States Patents 3,035,688 and 3,112,027. Thegarment packing case 1 may be formed of a blank of heavy corrugatedfiber board, cut and scored according to a predetermined design, tofacilitate folding thereof into a rectilinear packing case havingopposed side walls 3, 5, a front wall 7 and a back wall 9. The sidewalls 3, 5 may have top flaps 10, 11 inturned to form double thicknessside wall top portions. The upper portion of the front wall 7 preferablyconstitutes a door 13 swinga'ble about a vertical axis at the connectiontherewith and one of the side walls. This permits relativelyunrestricted access to the container. The lower portion of the frontwall may be a sill (not shown) secured at its opposite ends to the edgesof the side walls. The front and back wall top flaps 1-4, 15 may befolded against the side Wall top edges to form a top closure for thecase 1, and a similar set of bottom flaps (not shown) on the front endback walls may be used to form a bottom closure for the case 1. v i

A garment hanger bar 17 is removably mounted on and extends between thetop portions of the opposed side walls 3, 5. This bar 17 is of heavygauge sheet metal so as to be of rigid construction. It includes aU-shaped channel member 19 having rectangular bight 20 for engagement bythe hook ends 21 of garment hangers 22. Inverted U-shaped brackets 23,24 are rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the channel member 19.This may be done in any suitable manner, as for instance by striking outflanges 26, 27 on one leg 29, 29 of each bracket 23, 24 at appropriateplaces, and welding the flanges at spots 28 flush against the insidesurfaces of the depending legs of the channel member 19.

The big-hts 30, 32 of the brackets 23, 24 have groups of generallytriangular, sharp pointed prongs 33, 34 struck therefrom and lyingbetween the legs of the associated brackets. The two groups of prongs33, 34 on each bracket are preferably widely spaced, being located onopposite sides of the channel member 19. As best shown in FIG. 6, theseprongs 33, 34 cut into the double thickness side wall top edges of thecarton and prevent the brackets 23, 24 (and hence the entire bar 17)from shifting along the sidewall top edges.

The overall length of the hanger support bar 17 is fabricated inaccordance with the spacing of the side Walls 3, 5 so that the brackets23, 24 will fit in embracing relationship to the side wall top portions.The brackets 23, 24 are, furthermore, of such size as to have relativelylarge seating contact areas with the side wall top portions which servesto strengthen and rigidity the packing case 1.

Above the channel member 19 each bracket 23, 24 has a slot 36, 37 whichopens toward the opposite bracket. Each slot 36, 37 is preferablylocated approximately at the junction of the bight 32 or 33 andassociated inner bracket leg 29.

A retainer 39 of heavy gauge sheet metal is adapted to overlie the hookends 21 to hold them on the channel member bight 20. The retainer 39 hasangularly downwardly extending flanges 40-, 41 which run substantiallyfrom one bracket 23 to the other 24 and which bear against the hook ends21. At one end the retainer 39 has an extension or tongue 43 thatprojects beyond the ends of the flanges 40, 41. The tongue 43 projectsthrough the slot 36 to lie between the bight 30 of the bracket 29 andthe adjacent top edge of the side wall 3. This secures one end of theretainer 39' against upward retraction. Near the other end of theretainer 39 a spring band 45 embraces the retainer 39 and channel member19, as shown in FIG. 4, to hold the adjacent end portion of the retainer39 assembled with the chan-- place, the brackets may be fabricated alikeand the person securing the retainer in place need not be concerned withwhether or not it is properly oriented for insertion of the tongue 43through the correct bracket.

For hanger bars of relatively short length, namely those used withnarrow garment packing cases, only one spring band 45 may be required.However, for larger garment packing cases using somewhat longer hangerbars, more than one spring band 45 are generallyrequired, in which casethe spring bands are appropriately spaced apart along the length of thechannel member 19. t I

With the garment packing case set up, is mounted inplace, centeredbetween the front and back walls 7, 9. When the brackets 23, 24 areplaced over the side wall top portions, they are pressed or stuck firmlyinto place. causing theprongs 33, 34 to.become embedded in the side walltop edges. Thehangers 22, with garments g thereon, are placed with thehooks 21 on the channel member, 19. The tongue .43 is inserted into oneofthe'slots, say the slot 36, and then swung downwardly to bear upon thegarment hanger hooks 21.

Thereafter, the spring band 45 is secured in place; The

retainer 39 will lie roughly parallel with the .channel member 19. Thespring band 45may be of the, type shown in our Patent No. 3,112,027.Thus .it may have arcuate arms 47,- 48 whichterminate in hook-like ends:

50, 51 that are adapted to snap under the bottom edges of the legs ofthe channel member 19. By pressing the arcuate arms 47, 48 together, theends 50, 51 are caused to spread apart to enable them to clear or slidealong the legs of the channel member. 19, Upon release of the arms 47,48 the ends of 50, 51 firmly grip the bottom edges of the channel member19. The case 1 may be closed in a conventional manner as by folding thetop flaps 14, downwardly onto the side wall top edges and then securingthem in place by a strip of tape 52.

Prior to use of the hanger bar 17, the interfit of the tongue 43 in oneof the slots 36 or 37 of the brackets, together with the spring band 45serve to retain the clamping strip 39 and the rest of the hanger bar inassembled relationship. However, by pressing on the sides 47, 48 of thespring band 45,'the ends 50, 51 may be spread apart an amount sufficientto permit the spring band to be removed from the channel member 19.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes we haveherein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. Itis, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to theprecise construction herein shown, the same being merely illustrative ofthe principles of the invention. What is considered new and sought to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support barcomprising inverted U-shaped end brackets for supporting engagement withopposed walls of the packing case,- each bracket having spaced legsjoined by a bight, one of said brackets having a slot approximately inthe region of the junction of the bight and one leg and opening towardthe other bracket, a member spanning the space between the brackets andbeing rigidly secured to one leg of each and having a top for receivingand supporting the hook ends of garment hangers and with said top beingbelow said slot, a retainer overlying the top of the member fordisposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, said retainerhaving at one end a gue projecting through said slot to secure said oneend of the retainer against upward retraction from said one bracket, andmeans for securing the retainer to the member remot frgm said onebracket and cooperating hanger. bar

4 with said tongue and said onebracket tohold the re tainer and memberin assembled relationship. 4

2. A hanger support bar according to claim 1 in which said brackets haveprongs for embedment in the opposed.- walls of the garment packagingcase to prevent shifting: of the bar when it is assembled with saidcase.

3. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case,, said support barcomprising inverted U-shaped end brack-- ets for embracing the upperends of opposed walls of the packing case, each bracket having a bightwith prongs for embedment in said wall upper ends to prevent shifting;of the support bar thereon after assembly with the pack-- ing case, amember spanning the spacebetween the brackets and being rigidly securedto each and having a top for receiving and supporting the hook ends ofgarment hangers, a retainer overlying the top of the member fordisposition against the hook ends of the garment hangers, said retainerhaving at one end a tongue interfitting with a part of one bracket in amanner to secure said one end of the retainer against upward retractionfrom said one bracket, and spring band means overlying the retainer andreleasably embracing the member and cooperating with said tongue andsaid one bracket to hold the retainer and member in assembledrelationship.

4. A hanger support bar for a garment packing case, said support barcomprising inverted U-shaped end brackets for embracing the upper endsof opposed walls of the packing case, each bracket having spaced legsjoined by a bight; prongs on said brackets between the legs thereof forembedment in said upper ends to prevent shifting of said support barthereon after assembly therewith, said prongs being struck from thebights of the brackets, and a member spanning the space between thebrackets and adapted to support the hook ends of garment hangers, theends of said member being secured to the brackets.

5. In a garment packing case, a body having opposed walls with topflaps, the top fiaps being folded against the walls to form multiplethickness wall top portions, means forming a top closure for the body,the combination with a hanger support bar underlying the top closure,said bar having a member engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers,and inverted U-shaped'end brackets at the ends of said member embracingthe multiple thickness wall portions and supporting the top of saidmember inwardly of the top edges of said opposed walls, the bights ofsaid brackets having prongs struck therefrom embedded in said wall topportions and gripping the same to prevent shifting of either bracketalong its associated wall top portion upon assembly of the bar with saidbody.

6. In a garment packing case, a body having opposed walls with topflaps, the top flaps being folded against the walls to form multiplethickness wall top portions, means forming a top closure for the body,the combination with a hanger support bar underlying the top closure,said bar having a member engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers,inventer U-shaped end brackets at the ends of said member embracing themultiple thicknesswall portions and supporting the top of said memberinwardly of the top edges of said opposed walls, the bights of saidbrackets having prongs struck therefrom same to prevent shifting ofeither bracket along its associated wall top portion upon assembly ofthe bar with said body, one of said brackets having a slot above themember and opening toward the other bracket, a hanger retainer foroverlying the top of the member and engaging the garment hooks thereon,said retainer having a tongue that projects through said slot andunderlies part of said one bracket. to prevent upward retraction of thatend of the retainer from the member, and a clamping means embracing theretainer and member and cooperating with the tongue and said part ofsaid one bracket to clamp the hooked endsof the garment hangers betweenthe retainer and member.

7. In a garment packing case, a body having opposed walls with topflaps, the top flaps being folded against the walls to form multiplethickness wall top portions, means forming a top closure for the body,the combination with a hanger support bar underlying the top closure,said bar having a member engageable by the hook ends of garment hangers,inverted U-shaped end brackets at the ends of said member embracing themultiple thickness wall portions and supporting the top of said memberinwardly of the top edges of said opposed walls, one of said bracketshaving a slot above the member and opening toward the other bracket, ahanger retainer for overlying the top of the member and engaging thegarment hooks thereon, said retainer having a tongue that projectsthrough said slot and lies adjacent to the upper edge of the associatedwall portion and also underlies the bight portion of said one bracket toprevent upward retraction of that end of the retainer from the member,and clamping means embracing the retainer and member and cooperatingwith the tongue and said one bracket to clamp the hooked 20 ends of thegarment hangers between the retainer and member.

8. A hanger support bar according to claim 7 in which the brackets haveprongs for embedment in the upper ends of said Walls to prevent shiftingof the support bar thereon after assembly with the packing case.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,287,111 12/1918Roth 2067 1,764,931 6/1930 Carlson 2067 2,822,093 2/1958 Graci 2111242,980,260 4/ 1961 Richer 211124 3,021,958 2/ 1962 Winkler 2111243,037,617 6/1962 Collin 2067 3,112,027 11/1963 Field 2067 3,118,5421/1964 Lewis 211-124 X LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

1. A HANGER SUPPORT BAR FOR A GARMENT PACKING CASE, SAID SUPPORT BARCOMPRISING INVERTED U-SHAPED END BRACKETS FOR SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITHOPPOSED WALLS OF THE PACKING CASE, EACH BRACKET HAVING SPACED LEGSJOINED BY A BIGHT, ONE OF SAID BRACKETS HAVING A SLOT APPROXIMATELY INTHE REGION OF THE JUNCTION OF THE BIGHT AND ONE LEG AND OPENING TOWARDTHE OTHER BRACKET, A MEMBER SPANNING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRACKETS ANDBEING RIGIDLY SECURED TO ONE LEG OF EACH AND HAVING A TOP FOR RECEIVINGAND SUPPORTING THE HOOK ENDS OF GARMENT HANGERS AND WITH SAID TOP BEINGBELOW SAID SLOT, A RETAINER OVERLYING THE TOP OF THE MEMBER FORDISPOSITION AGAINST THE HOOK ENDS OF THE GARMENT HANGERS, SAID RETAINERHAVING AT ONE END A TONGUE PROJECTING THROUGH SAID SLOT TO SECURE SAIDONE END OF THE RETAINER AGAINST UPWARD RETRACTION FROM SAID ONE BRACKET,AND MEANS FOR SECURING THE RETAINER TO THE MEMBER REMOTE FROM SAID ONEBRACKET AND COOPERATING WITH SAID TONGUE AND SAID ONE BRACKET TO HOLDTHE RETAINER AND MEMBER IN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP.